Posted on 06/23/2011 7:06:08 AM PDT by OldCorps
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – In the midst of Marine Week with tanks, guns, and heavy weapons parked on lawns all over downtown, the Mayor is wondering how two unarmed prowlers out-fought and robbed three Marines on the street.
Police report that two Marines in their early 20s were walking near the Soldier’s Memorial downtown around 2:30 Monday morning, when two suspects in their 20s approached. According to the police report, the suspects tried to sell the Marines jewelry and then an argument led to a fight.
Police say one of the suspects punched a Marine. Another suspect reportedly took a pocket knife from the other Marine and poked him with it, causing a minor cut. The Marines told police the suspects took one of their wallets and ran away.
Police say a third Marine was also present, but was not fully involved in the fight.
“We take this story at face value and we’re going to investigate it,” said Police Chief Dan Isom.
In the hallways of police headquarters, some police officials were struggling to understand the incident, saying it didn’t sound right.
Even Mayor Francis Slay reacted to the news with skepticism, wondering how three Marines, one of whom was carrying a knife, would lose their knife and a wallet to two un-armed men.
“They were in an altered state because they had a fair amount to drink and it was 2:30 in the morning,” Slay said. ”The Marines are great to St. Louis and certainly this is not indicative of Marine Week.”
But a Marine spokesman shed more light on the mugging, suggesting that the Marines turned the other cheek to avoid violence.
“Marines have been given rules of engagement not to engage in any violence except to protect their lives,” said Marine Spokeswoman Capt Kate Vanden Bossche.
When asked if the Marines have essentially been told to hand over their wallets in St. Louis, rather than fight to protect their property, Vanden Bossche said: “If someone is in such dire need that they need to rob someone, I don’t think that’s a fight Marines need to get into.”
A Marine press release on the attack indicates how the fight ended: ”After a brief altercation, the parties were separated with the help of the third Marine and police were contacted. The Marines relinquished their wallets and both assailants fled the scene.”
I'm still waiting for a reply to that!?
My old friend is now a retired Lt Col (Army) and the reason he retired is when the Army started allowing sneakers on forced marches!
Personally, I don’t consider it hard to figure out, real life isn’t the movies, three guys had been partying and they were taken off balance and were not in a frame of mind to fight two street toughs, for one thing, not all GIs are born brawlers, regardless of what they do in the service.
Let’s not pretend that rough locals in military towns have not been beating up and mugging GIs since the beginning of time, for one thing, they get to move when they are feeling aggressive and tough, not having that mood imposed on them when they may not be in that frame of mind.
Don't know when or where you served but I have no clue as to what you're talking about!?
I was Army (ranger), my best friend was Marine and OUR best drinking buddy was Navy Seal.
There is 'absolutely'.. No Way "Fifty" .. let alone "Three" punks could of taken from just "One" of us .. what we weren't willing to give up!
Seems to me that the Military, like everywhere else has gone soft!
Of course .. I served in the late 60's early 70's so we're talking about a whole nother world and time.
They were probably shopping for “bling”.
They was robbed!!!
Yes, now try to talk facts and history rather than using it as an excuse to tell us your fantasy about being able to beat up 17 men at once, try to remember those military towns you saw in the 60s and 70s, like Leesville, and Columbus, and the “impact” area of Lawton.
In military towns, locals have always fed off the GIs, do they win all the time, of course not, but to pretend that this somewhat humorous, somewhat embarrassing incident, is some kind of deep, meaningful indictment of the Marine Corps, and the modern American military man, only shows ignorance.
My dad always said that “Nothing good happens, outside of bed, past 1 in the morning.”
I try to be in bed by 1 am - and make sure something good happens.
I thought it was “In bed before 11 and home before 2”?
“yes Sir, I will have your daughter in bed before 11.... and home before 2.”
Baloney!
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